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Words from the artist’s archive
Concrete Dreams lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
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Intro
Started with a mattress on the floor and a vision Now they callin' my phone, gotta make a decision
Verse 1
Mama worked three jobs just to keep the lights flickerin' I was countin' change for the bus while they was pickin' winners Roaches in the cabinet, rice for every dinner But I wrote my goals down on the wall in permanent marker Teacher said I'd be a statistic, nothin' but a number I said watch me prove 'em wrong while they slept and I stayed under Fluorescent lights at midnight, books spread on the counter Every sacrifice a brick, I'm buildin' something that'll last forever
Chorus
Concrete dreams, yeah I'm pourin' the foundation Started from the cracks in the pavement, no vacation Concrete dreams, watch me build it to the sky They ain't believe until they seen it with they own eyes
Verse 2
First check hit different, I ain't even cash it for a week Just stared at my name printed on it, couldn't even speak Bought mama that dishwasher she been wantin' since '03 Tears in her eyes said more than words could ever teach me Now they want percentages of everything I'm creatin' Same folks who ain't answer when I called 'em, now they waitin' Funny how the vision gets clearer when you patient Every closed door was just God's way of navigatin'
Bridge
I still remember cold nights, breath visible in my room Told myself one day I'd buy that building, seal my own doom Now I hold the deed in my hands, standin' where I used to cry Sometimes the kid inside still can't believe we made it fly
Verse 3
They want the blueprint but they don't want the sleepless hours They want the penthouse but they scared of the cold showers I built this empire on the nights nobody was watchin' When the doubt was screamin' loud but I kept on knockin' Now my little cousin got his own room with a closet And my grandmother don't gotta worry 'bout deposits That's the real flex, not the chains or the watches It's breakin' cycles, changin' fates, buildin' options
Chorus
Concrete dreams, yeah I'm pourin' the foundation Started from the cracks in the pavement, no vacation Concrete dreams, watch me build it to the sky They ain't believe until they seen it with they own eyes
Bridge
Look at what we built from nothin' but the will to survive Every scar a story, every loss just fuel for the fire This ain't luck, this is purpose meets preparation Concrete dreams turned to real destinations
Chorus
Concrete dreams, yeah I'm pourin' the foundation Started from the cracks in the pavement, no vacation Concrete dreams, watch me build it to the sky They ain't believe until they seen it with they own eyes Concrete dreams, yeah I'm pourin' the foundation Started from the cracks in the pavement, no vacation Concrete dreams, watch me build it to the sky They ain't believe until they seen it with they own eyes
Outro
Started with a mattress on the floor and a vision Now I'm standin' on the rooftop, mission accomplished Concrete dreams...
Inside the recording
Started with a mattress on the floor and a vision Now they callin' my phone, gotta make a decision
Concrete dreams, yeah I'm pourin' the foundation Started from the cracks in the pavement, no vacation
Started with a mattress on the floor and a vision Now I'm standin' on the rooftop, mission accomplished
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.